Kolkata: Pope Leo XIV has appointed Rt Rev Elias Frank, Bishop of Asansol, as the Coadjutor Bishop of the Archdiocese of Calcutta. He will succeed the current Archbishop of Calcutta, His Grace, Most Rev. Thomas D’Souza, when he retires later this year. The appointment was made public in Rome on Saturday at noon, IST 3.30 pm.A coadjutor bishop is appointed to assist the diocesan archbishop with the pastoral and administrative duties of the diocese. He automatically succeeds the latter upon his retirement or death. He is essentially an assistant bishop with the right of succession.Born on Aug 15, 1962, in Bantwal, Karnataka, Rt Rev Elias Frank belongs to the Diocese of Mangalore. He completed his early education in Modankap and Shillong before entering priestly formation at St John Mary Vianney Minor Seminary in Barasat. He later studied philosophy at Morning Star Regional Seminary, Barrackpore. He pursued his theological studies at the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome, where he also earned a licentiate and later a doctorate in Canon Law.Ordained as a priest on April 23, 1993, for the Archdiocese of Calcutta, he served in several parishes, including Sacred Heart Church in Burdwan and St Therese of Lisieux in Durgapur. He also contributed as a judge at the Inter-Diocesan Tribunal in Kolkata. Bishop Elias Frank served as a professor of Canon Law in Rome since 2007 and is a visiting professor at the Alphonsian Academy. He published books and scholarly articles and held roles as an external judge and consultor for Vatican dicasteries, the main departments of the Roman Curia, the central administration of the Roman Catholic Church. Appointed as Bishop of Asansol by Pope Francis on July 3, 2023, he was consecrated on Aug 24, 2023. Congratulating Rt. Rev. Elias Frank on his appointment on behalf of the clergy, Fr Dominic Gomes, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Calcutta, said, “I extend our warmest greetings and deepest gratitude to God for the gift of your leadership. May the Holy Spirit strengthen you and guide you in this new mission. Be assured of our prayers and support as you continue to build up the Body of Christ among us.”In the Roman Catholic Church, archbishops are requested to submit their resignation to the Pope upon reaching the age of 75 in accordance with Canon 401 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law. The Pope then considers the resignation, taking into account all circumstances, and makes a decision.Most Rev. Thomas D’Souza was appointed Archbishop of Calcutta on Feb 23, 2012 after serving as coadjutor bishop from March 12, 2011. He will be 75 years old on Aug 26 this year. After his retirement, he will be known as Archbishop Emeritus. His role will be one of continued service to support the church and its mission but without the active leadership and administrative responsibilities of an active archbishop.
